Highlanders sign veteran forward Jeanty for next season

The Cape Breton Highlanders have announced their first roster move for the 2018-19 season, which will be their third year in the National Basketball League of Canada.

Cordell Jeanty, a six-foot-five forward from Toronto, has re-signed with the Highlanders, the club said in a news release Saturday.

Jeanty, a product of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, has played professionally in NBL Canada since the 2011-2012 season, when he was with the now-defunct Quebec Kebs under current Highlanders head coach Rob Spon.

He then played two seasons with the Moncton Miracles and one with the Island Storm before returning to the Miracles from 2015-2017.

Jeanty joined Cape Breton late last season, averaging four points and four rebounds in about 20 minutes of playing time per game.

“Cordell’s veteran presence on and off the court adds an important element to building a cohesive team,” Highlanders president and general manager Tyrone Levingston said in the release.

“It’s great to have him starting the new season with us.”

The season will get underway in November. Signed players will compete for a final spot on the Highlanders’ roster at training camp in October.

NBL Canada teams are allowed to have a roster of up to 12 active players and three inactive players. Players can be deemed inactive if they are injured, held in reserve or needed for roster adjustments. This gives teams the flexibility to adjust their rosters for planned or unforeseen events.

The Highlanders finished ninth out of 10 teams in league play last season, with a 13-27 record.

The London Lightning captured their second straight championship, topping the Halifax Hurricanes in seven games in the final.